Loren Stillman Quintet

"Stillman writes music that’s intricate but unforced and devoid of pretension...just as important, he has a distinctive sound on his instrument — full but dry, with only the slightest intimation of vibrato — and he shows restraint and consideration in his solos. When a song opens up rhythmically, as happens often here, he sets an agenda without closing off alternative options. He’s a watchful sort of improviser, rigorous about everything, including the unknown.”